Massive Morrill Fire burns 330,000 acres across Nebraska Panhandle, remains 0% contained

GARDEN COUNTY, Neb. — A massive wildfire that began Thursday in Morrill County has burned an estimated 330,000 acres across the Nebraska Panhandle and remains active Friday as firefighters continue battling the blaze.

The wildfire, now known as the Morrill Fire, was first reported Thursday near County Road 11 and County Road 112 northeast of Bridgeport and north of Broadwater. Driven by powerful winds, the fire spread rapidly through Morrill and Garden counties and pushed east toward Arthur and Keith counties before crews were able to stop its forward progress near Highway 61 north of Lake McConaughy.

As of 8:30 a.m. Friday, the National Interagency Fire Center reported the fire has burned approximately 330,000 acres in Morrill and Garden counties and remains 0% contained.

Firefighters from across the region responded to the fast-moving blaze. Keystone-Lemoyne Fire & Rescue Chief Ralph Moul said 32 different fire departments were involved in the response.

“I have never seen one go that far,” Moul said. “From that 385 to Highway 61, that’s just amazing. When you have 75 mph winds pushing it, it’s going to do that.”

Moul said firefighters were able to stop the fire near Highway 61 north of Lake McConaughy late Thursday, but shifting winds quickly created new dangers.

“We finally got it stopped at Highway 61 north of here, but then we had a cold front come through and change the winds from the west to straight out of the north,” Moul said. “Once that happened then we have probably 1,000 homes in the path of this fire. We started calling a lot of resources in.”

Air resources arrived Friday morning to assist in firefighting efforts, including aircraft conducting operations over the burn area. Local aerial applicators are also assisting with air support.

Heavy smoke Friday morning made aerial firefighting difficult, forcing crews to focus on ground operations in several areas including Otter Creek, Sandy Creek and the Berry Ranch areas.

Officials said the fire remains extremely dangerous and conditions could worsen again in the coming days.

“This fire is still a very dangerous fire and it’s going to continue to be a dangerous fire in the coming days,” Moul said. “We’re probably going to be red flagged later this afternoon. We’re probably going to have red flag conditions again on Sunday.”

He said fire weather meteorologists are also warning of hot temperatures next week.

“Next week we’re going to be in summertime temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s, possible the 90s, with winds,” Moul said.

Additional state and federal resources are now being deployed to the fire.

Moul said the state approved a Complex Incident Management Team from Colorado to assist with the response. A multi-mission aircraft equipped with infrared technology is also being deployed to identify hot spots and help determine the fire’s official size.

“The MMA aircraft can be used with FLIR capabilities where it can pick up hot spots,” Moul said. “It can also be utilized to come up with the official acreage of the fire.”

The Nebraska National Guard is also sending personnel and aircraft to assist firefighting operations.

Gov. Jim Pillen issued an emergency proclamation Friday to unlock state resources and support responses to multiple wildfires burning across central and western Nebraska.

“These fires present a significant and active danger, given current weather conditions,” Pillen said in a statement. “Anyone living within proximity to current wildfires are urged to heed communications issued by local authorities.”

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency reported receiving 24 wildfire reports over a 24-hour period across the state.

The Morrill Fire is among the largest currently being tracked, along with the Cottonwood Fire south of Interstate 80 near Brady and Gothenburg and the Anderson Bridge Fire west of Valentine.

Smoke from the Morrill Fire has been visible across much of western Nebraska and eastern Colorado, including Sidney, Scottsbluff, Harrisburg and Sterling.

Officials said evacuations that were issued for areas near Lewellen late Thursday night were lifted before 2 a.m. Friday morning. No mandatory evacuations were in place as of Friday morning, but residents were urged to remain cautious.

No road closures were reported Friday morning, although officials warned drivers to watch for emergency responders operating along highways and county roads.

Fire crews continue working to establish containment lines and protect homes around Lake McConaughy.

“We’re just trying to keep the fire out of the homes here at Lake McConaughy,” Moul said. “We’re just trying to get some lines established with heavy equipment. We’re getting ground units in where we can get them. Hopefully we’ll be able to control this thing for now.”

In response to the dangerous fire conditions statewide, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced a temporary ban on campfires at all Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas.

The ban, which took effect immediately, prohibits campfires, charcoal grills and other wood-fueled fire sources. Officials said the restriction is intended to reduce wildfire risks while first responders across the state are stretched thin responding to active fires.

Propane and other liquid-gas fueled camp stoves and grills are still allowed because they can be turned off quickly and do not produce blowing embers.

Officials are also urging residents and visitors to take additional precautions, including avoiding activities that could create sparks and properly disposing of cigarettes or other flammable materials.

Communities across the region have begun organizing support for firefighters and residents affected by the blaze. Keystone-Lemoyne Fire & Rescue officials said donation space is limited and asked those wishing to help to donate gift cards to Walmart, Safeway or Visa gift cards through the Ogallala Fire Department so resources can be coordinated among departments.

The Bridgeport Fire Hall also opened Friday morning to accept donations for firefighters.

Authorities continue urging residents across the Nebraska Panhandle to use extreme caution as dry conditions and strong winds persist.

Officials said the cause of the fire has not been determined.